Pool balls can be used in billiards. They can be made of many different materials, but they are most commonly made from phenolic. Phenolic is a mixture between formaldehyde, phenol. These two compounds have a reputation for being durable and resistant to scratching. The mixture is also resistant to high temperatures. The resin will fade and turn yellow if it is exposed to sunlight.
Wood was the first material used to make pool balls. These balls were strong, but they became crackly with age. Leo Baekeland a chemist invented a new, non-flammable plastic compound in the 19th Century. This new material was quickly called bakelite. It soon replaced wood for the manufacture of pool balls.
The creation of pool balls was an expensive process. The development of the balls took a lot of time. A person could cut a ball in half to get a better idea of what was inside. The balls needed to be formed under high pressure.
After the development of the first form of bakelite, other inventors began exploring chemical substances for making pool balls. Some of these innovations were considered pioneering moments in the synthetic plastics industry.
While phenolic is a great choice for pool balls it comes at a higher price than its polyester equivalent. If you are not interested in spending a lot of money on pool balls, the polyester alternative is probably the right choice for you. However, polyester will not retain its color for as long phenolic resin.
Manufacturing a phenolic resin balls takes 23 days. Each step is carefully checked to ensure that the process is free of impurities. Also, phenolic resin balls can store in lower temperatures than polyester balls. They are also more durable than polyester balls and can be stored for longer periods of times.
Aramith is a leading manufacturer of phenolic resin pools balls. The phenolic resin pool balls from Aramith are extremely durable and can hold their shine for as long as 40 years. Compared to polyester balls, they are also less expensive. The Aramith Premier is a high-quality resin technology set that will appeal to those who are looking to upgrade to higher-quality balls.
Iszy is another manufacturer of pool balls. It uses a mixture of phenolic as well as polyester resin. These pool balls cost less than phenolic ones, but don't retain their shine as well. Polyester balls are also more prone to fading and burn spots on the table. They are still a good choice for beginners.
One more manufacturer is Predator Arcos, which uses a proprietary chemical compound to create a number of phenolic resin balls. These balls are also more dense because they have been through-hardened. You can also choose the Iszy marble swirl set if you want to spend less.
Many companies attempt to reproduce the ivory billiard balls experience. However, the ivory material is no longer available. Modern pool balls are made with a mix of formaldehyde phenolic resin. Today, approximately 85% are phenolic.